3D Printing Limitations

3D printing(3DP), also known as additive manufacturing (AM), refers to the process of making or creating a three-dimensional object wherein multiple layers a being laid upon one another to create an object under the control of computer system.

It was created in the late ’80s and has been utilized broadly to prototyping. In 1981, Hideo Kodama of Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute concocted two added substance techniques for creating three-dimensional plastic models with photograph solidifying thermoset polymer, where the UV introduction region is controlled by a cover design or an examining fiber transmitter.What’s new is that the innovation is never again saved for huge organizations lately, it has at last influenced the hop to the standard customer to advertise.

A few people say that 3D printing wouldn’t reform the assembling division, rendering conventional industrial facilities out of date. The straightforward truth is the financial aspects of 3D printing now and for a long time to come make it an unfeasible approach to create by far most of parts made today. So as opposed to taking a gander at it as a substitute for existing assembling, we should look to new territories where it can exploit its interesting capacities to supplement customary assembling forms. Additive manufacturing, or “3D printing” as it is commonly known, has understandably captured the popular imagination. Exciting applications have already been demonstrated across all sectors-from aerospace and medical applications to biotechnology and food production.

3D Printing is becoming more popular day by day. It is also known as Additive manufacturing because the 3D printer builds any object by laying down layers upon layers on material until its finished. This process is less wasteful like any other manufacturing process because you don’t need to carve or cut away material to build any object. With the advancement of 3D printing it is now capable of building a house on its own just by its blueprint. 3D printing will also reduce the cost of manufacturing anything by 50% or even more. Still it is inevitable to overlook its negative impacts on our lives:-

1. HEALTH HAZARDS

Recent studies by Illinois Institute of Technology tested few samples and found out that these 3D printers emit 200 million to 200 billion tiny toxic particles per min. These particles when inhaled can penetrate to our lungs, cause irritation, also can reach to our brain.

The printers use elements like Nylon filament that emits Caprolactam which can cause serious neurologic, stomach and heart conditions. Some printers using ABS filament emits Styrene that could cause Cancer also.

2. ECO-UNFRIENDLY

Most of the printers use Plastic filaments to produce the objects which in turn leave behind plastic by products that are harmful for the environment. With the rapidly growing technology, it is certain to cause much more damage than visible today.

3. HIGH ENERGY CONSUMPTION

It is quite evident that the printers that are capable of constructing houses will need huge amount of energy. With the growing population , the power consumption is already so high that it will become more challenging task to produce energy for operation of such machines.

4. UNEMPLOYMENT

As we are becoming dependent on machines, automating everything for better jobs done and with minimal chances of error, the need of humans to perform a task is getting affected which will directly impact the employment rate . More and more people will become unemployed as less man power is required.

3D Printing Limitations at a glance :

Surface texture is generally too rough.

Materials have low heat deflection temperatures.

Materials generally have low strengths.

Material prices are far too high restricting the growth of the market.

Parts are generally not as dense as parts made by CNC and other processes.

Color is only possible with Mcor and Zcorp and these do not provide for functional parts.